Selectboard Budget Meeting Minutes 12-14-2021
Selectboard Budget Meeting Minutes 12-14-2021
TOWN OF RUTLAND SELECTBOARD OPEN MEETING
RUTLAND TOWN MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL
181 BUSINESS ROUTE 4, CENTER RUTLAND, VT 05736
DECEMBER 14th, 2021
This meeting had a virtual attendance option available for anyone to join.
- Meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. with the pledge of allegiance
- Board members present Mary Ashcroft, Joe Denardo, Sharon Russell, John Paul Faignant and Don Chioffi
- Members of the public present, not participating: Byron Hathaway
This meeting is being held to discuss 2022 – 2023 budget planning.
The Board met with Town Fire Chief Chris Clark to discuss the Fire Department budget. The budget recommendations from the committee meeting were reviewed. The daytime wage amount was discussed. The payout rate would be at $22.50 per hour and will be limited to calls for service during the day during the week. The exact timing has not been determined yet. Discussed the 5.9% payroll increase applied to all town compensation rates. No action was taken. Selectman Faignant moved to approve the Fire Department budget. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The Board met with Town Police Chief Ed Dumas and Deputy Chief Ted Washburn to discuss the Police Department budget. The budget recommendation from the committee was reviewed. The Omya patrol is discontinued and will no longer have an amount under income. Additionally, the CFAC grant is not included since Chief Dumas no longer works there. Discussed the admin staff budget. Selectwoman Russell moved to change the admin budget to allow a 35-hour, full time, work week. Selectman Faignant seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0. The budget was adjusted to allow for a 35-hour work week. The vehicle purchase / lease line was zeroed out due no vehicles needing to be replaced this coming fiscal year. Selectman Faignant moved to approve budget as discussed. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The Board met with Town Transfer Station Manager Larry Dell Veneri to discuss the Transfer Station budget. The budget recommendations were reviewed. The engineering costs are going to be projected for 2 testing visits for the closed landfill. The request to allow for a once-a-year test has not been answered yet. There is an expected sharp increase in hazardous waste costs. The were no questions. Approval for the budget is included in the general budget.
The Board met with Town Planning Commission Chair Barbara Pulling to discuss the Planning Commission budget. The budget recommendations were reviewed. There is a proposed increase in legal fees to allow for some review of planned ordinance proposals. There were no questions. Approval for the budget is included in the general budget.
The Board met with Town Lister Howard Burgess to discuss the budget for the Listers office. The budget recommendations were reviewed. There are not many expenses for their office. Mr. Burgess said an update to the business and personnel property tax is needed. It has not been done in some time. There are funds in the reappraisal account available for this. An estimate has been requested. There are approximately 350 accounts affected by this. The reappraisal maintenance income comes from the State of Vermont. There were no other questions. Approval for the budget is included in the general budget.
The Board met with Town Recreation Director Mike Rowe to discuss the Recreation budget. The budget recommendations were reviewed. The largest increase is in the lifeguard compensation. This was done in order to allow us to stay competitive. Based on new internet service becoming available, the telephone cost line will be raised to $3500. Miscellaneous and Food lines will be decreased to offset the increase in telephone and internet costs. Selectman Faignant moved to approve the budget as discussed. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The Board met with Town First Constable Michael Delehanty to discuss his budget. The Town Second Constable, and Selectman, John Paul Faignant presented their budget recommendations. They asked for new lines to be added to the First Constable budget to allow transparency in the money being allocated. The new lines will be for Salary, Equipment, Supplies and Vehicle. These will align with the Second Constable lines. The projected amounts for 2022 – 2023 are similar to 2021 – 2022. There were no questions. Approval for the budget is included in the general budget.
The Board reviewed the proposed Health Officer budget. There is a proposed decrease in the salary line. There is an overall decrease in the budget.
The Board met with Town Clerk and Treasurer Kari Clark to discuss remaining general budget items. Reviewed the income lines and realistic expectations for income were established. Supplemental office help was discussed, and the budget was increased over last year to allow for the option to bring in help over the course of the 3 elections for this coming year and to help with tasks for other offices and departments. Discussed the Building Maintenance line. Money was added in the current year to allow for the hiring of an architect to guide a remodel project. This has not been done yet. The proposed budget is not going to include an allocation toward this work. Reviewed the stormwater projects for the coming year based on recommendations from our consultant. His projection is $82,500 which may be able to be offset by some grants. The line for The Circle was increased to reflect expected costs for supplies and reimbursement. Other general budget items did not have any significant changes or needs. Selectman Faignant moved to approve the General Budget. Selectwoman Russell seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The Board discussed the proposed Highway budget. Two options were given to Board members. A copy based on the traditional categories, and one based on changes discussed at a recent Highway Committee meeting. After some discussion the Board decided to use the updated version. Culvert Replacement is up due to the Town Line Road culvert replacement project. Line striping was reduced from $30,000 to $1000. This was believed to be a typo but will be investigated. Selectman Denardo felt the maintenance lines for the vehicles may not be sufficient to cover actual expenses. The budget was increased on the 7-yard truck. Selectman Denardo spoke about the road which was proposed at one time to connect Randbury Road to the lights across from Cold River Road. With the possibility of grant money coming in the next few years, if we had plans for a shovel ready project, we may be eligible for those funds. An exact figure to compete the plans is not known, we have not received follow up from the vendor. $15,000 was added to Engineering Services to anticipate being able to get completed plans. Selectman Faignant moved to approve the Highway budget as discussed. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The board discussed supplemental pay increases for the Highway Department crew, Walt Tripp, and Jason Bathalon. Based on a recommendation from the Highway Committee Selectman Faignant moved to immediately increase Walt to $32.50 per hour and Jason to $22.50 per hour. Walt would be responsible for the highway tasks and Jason would be responsible for the Water and Sewer tasks. In addition to the payroll increases a bonus would be paid to both in March of $750. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.
The board discussed the payout of benefit time requested by retiring Road Commissioner Byron Hathaway. Selectwoman Russell stepped out of the meeting during discussion. The Highway Committee, based on scenarios presented by the Town Clerk and Treasurer, is recommending to payout benefit time based on the second scenario discussed. Selectman Faignant moved to approve this recommendation. Selectman Chioffi seconded the motion. The motion passed 4 – 0.
Selectman Faignant moved to adjourn. Selectman Denardo seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Mr. Bill Sweet
| Mary Ashcroft, Chair |
| Joseph Denardo, Clerk |
| John Paul Faignant |
| Sharon Russell |
| Don Chioffi |
Center Rutland, VT.